Number manufactured |
321 |
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First and last chassis number |
First chassis number: SCBZU15C1TCH53159 (1996).
Last chassis number: SCBZU26E63CX01559 (2003). |
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Dimensions, kerb weight, performance |
Length, width, height |
524, 204, 142 cm |
Wheel base |
296 cm |
Kerb weight |
2420 kg |
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h |
6.0 seconds |
Top speed |
155 mph, 249 km/h |
|
Characteristics and peculiarities |
Backgrounds of this model
- The Bentley Continental T is a shortened edition (4 inch, 10 cm shorter) of the Bentley Continental R with a more powerful engine and tailored chassis.
- The Continental T has no predecessor or successor but is a model besides already existing models, so also besides the Continental R.
Original characteristics
- The engine had been upgraded to 400 bhp and more than 500 lb/ft of torque.
- 18 inch wheels.
- Engine-turned polished aluminium facia finish. Straight-grain mahogany waistrails (also burr walnut waistrails were available).
- Chrome bezel surrounds to the individual gauges.
- The first Continental since 1955 to have an engine start button.
- Vaned grille in body colour, later matrix grille.
Model year 1998
- Matrix grille.
- Perforated leather.
- Leather and aluminium on the door cappings.
- Gear selector knob in chrome.
- The red engine start button relocated from the console onto the centre panel of the facia.
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Production and chassis numbers |
Identification of the model in the chassis number
The chassis number of a Bentley Continental T has:
- the letter U on the fifth position
- a number between 53159 and 53514 (model years 1996 and 1997)
- a number between 67001 and 67538 (model years 1998 until 2001)
- a number between 01500 and 01559 (model years 2002 and 2003)
The next models have a partly overlapping identification:
- Bentley Continental T Mulliner (between 67107 and 01525).
- Bentley Continental T Le Mans (between 67538 and 01516).
Further details about the production and the chassis numbers
- The chassis numbers in the years 1990 up to and including 2003 are assigned in separate series per model type (often per model year as well) or in separate series per model. A model type stands for e.g. the standard saloon models (Silver Spirit, Brooklands), the long wheelbase models (Silver Spur, Bentley LWB), the 2-door coupé models (Continental R, Continental T, et cetera).
- The first Bentley Continental T (number 53159) got a number within model year 1996 of the Bentley Continental R. The second Continental T from model year 1996 (number 53159) got a number within model year 1997 of the Continental R and T.
- In 1997 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental R and Bentley Continental T.
- In 1998 the Continental T got a series of numbers that was not shared with other models.
- In 1999 and 2000 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental T and Bentley Continental T Mulliner.
- In 2001 and 2002 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental T, Bentley Continental T Mulliner and Bentley Continental T Le Mans.
- In 2003 the Continental T got a series of numbers that was not shared with other models.
Series of numbers and unused numbers
- Chassis number SCBZU23CXVCX53136 is the chassis number of a Continental T (the letter U and the engine 23) but is called a Continental R by the factory. It is a number from model year 1997 (the letter V) that fits within the series of numbers of the 1996 Continental R.
- The numbers 53194 - 53300 between the model years 1996 and 1997 have not been used.
- The numbers 67114 - 67200 between the model years 1999 and 2000 have not been used, with the exception of number 67148. This single number was assigned to a 1998 Continental T.
- The numbers 67228 - 67500 between the model years 2000 and 2001 have not been used.
- The numbers 67536 and 67537 in model year 2001 have not been used.
- The numbers 01526 - 01549 between the model years 2002 and 2003 have not been used.
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Numbers LHD / RHD |
|
Left-hand drive |
Right-hand drive |
|
Model year |
Number |
% (p yr) |
Number |
% (p yr) |
Total |
1996 |
0 |
0% |
2 |
100% |
2 |
1997 |
91 |
68% |
42 |
32% |
133 |
1998 |
50 |
60% |
33 |
40% |
83 |
1999 |
20 |
67% |
10 |
33% |
30 |
2000 |
16 |
73% |
6 |
27% |
22 |
2001 |
20 |
91% |
2 |
9% |
22 |
2002 |
12 |
63% |
7 |
37% |
19 |
2003 |
8 |
80% |
2 |
20% |
10 |
Total |
217 |
68% |
104 |
32% |
321 |
Model years 1997 until 2001 are not listed below.
|
Model year 1996
SCBZU15C1TCH53159
SCBZU15C1TCH53307
Model year 2002
SCBZU25E22CH01500
SCBZU25E82CX01501
SCBZU25EX2CX01502
SCBZU25E82CH01503
SCBZU25E32CX01504
SCBZU25E52CX01505
SCBZU25E72CX01506
SCBZU25E52CH01507
SCBZU25E72CH01508
SCBZU25E22CX01509
SCBZU25E92CX01510
SCBZU25E92CH01512
SCBZU25E82CX01515
|
SCBZU25EX2CH01518
SCBZU25E52CX01519
SCBZU25E82CH01520
SCBZU25E32CX01521
SCBZU25E52CX01522
SCBZU25E92CX01524
Model year 2003
SCBZU26EX3CX01550
SCBZU26E13CX01551
SCBZU26EX3CH01552
SCBZU26E13CH01553
SCBZU26E73CX01554
SCBZU26E93CX01555
SCBZU40E53CX01556
SCBZU40E73CX01557
SCBZU40E93CX01558
SCBZU26E63CX01559
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Bentley Continental T, model year 1996, press photo (above)
Bentley Continental T, model year 1998, press photo (below)
Bentley Continental T Personal Commission, press photos (below)
Another Bentley Continental T Personal Commission, press photos (below)
Another Bentley Continental T Personal Commission, press photos (below)
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